Women's Prayer Team - Week 31
One of my favorite trips I have ever been on was a cross country road trip where my family's ultimate destination was the Grand Canyon. I grew up in quite the outdoorsy sort of family, and we planned to see and hike a few different parts of the canyon. The initial moments were inevitably breathtaking, and our first few hours were spent in awe of this surreal place. We walked and talked and sat for awhile before setting off on our trek to our accommodations for the evening. Little did I know that our cabin was a three hour drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, all the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I was quickly irritated, partially from sleep deprivation and endless hours of driving, but also because I could not understand why on earth we would drive three hours to another spot of the canyon when we had already been to a perfectly beautiful section of the canyon.
Prayer Tip # 31 – Pray for Godly Perspective
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."
Philippians 2:5
To be fair, I believe I was in eighth grade during this road trip I have been speaking of, so I have gained perspective on my foul attitude surrounding the whole situation. However, the moment I got to see the view of the Canyon from the North Rim, (which also happened to be during sunrise) I could understand why my parents decided the route that they did. This point of view of the canyon was altogether different and somehow the view of the previous day failed in comparison to our new vantage point. I didn't know what I didn't know, and our new perspective was one I wouldn't have dreamed of.
Colossians 3:2 says we are best off as Christians to "set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." The Apostle Paul's command here can be difficult for us for a number of reasons. We are sinful and therefore impatient, self-seeking, and simple beings in our flesh. We can so easily be distracted and concerned with our immediate point of view. But Christ, in His lovingkindness and mercy, gives us ways to set our mind on things above. He has given His Holy Word to read, the ability to speak to Him and pray, and He allows us to see and hear about His goodness in the lives of others.
Some of you may look at me, a young married woman in my 20's and laugh at this "perspective" I think I have now. I believe there is never a time where we "arrive," and the Lord is always refining us and shaping our minds to be more like His - to have a mind like Christ. I pray that my perspective will always grow and that it will fight to be fixated on things of God. That insane view from the North Rim was something only the Lord could fashion, and won't soon leave my memories. But, I firmly believe that one day a place in Heaven with my Savior will be so, so much greater.
Prayer Points: Please pray over these requests:
Father, Thank You for Jesus.
Father, help me to have my mind set on things in heaven.
Lord, be with me when I am weak and I can't see past what is directly in front of me.
Lord, Thank You for giving us ways to keep our eyes on the things of You.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are good and You are kind. You help our eyes to open when we are blinded. Help us, oh God, to have a perspective that is pleasing and honoring to You. We can be so easily distracted by things on this earth and the difficult things we face. Many of these things will pass away, but You are everlasting. Keep our faith strong and give us eyes to see the things that are above. Allow us to be more and more like You, Jesus.
In Jesus' Name, Amen
Peace,
Katie Gutierrez